hunter



(Nlo Model.)

l ELECTRIC LUGOM-OTIVE. No. 502,297. Patented Agg-,1, 1893.

.1m/en fun.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

RUDOLPH M. HUNTER, OF PHILADELPHIA,v PENNSYLVANIA, ASSIGNOR TO THEELECTRIC CAR COMPANY OF AMERICA. OF SAME PLACE.

ELECTRIC LOCOMOTIVE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 502,297, dated August1, 1893.

Application filed November 30, 1886. Serial No. 220,240. (No model.)

To aZZ whom it may concern,.- Other details of construction are fullyset Be it known that I, RUDOLPH M. HUNTER, out hereinafter. of the cityand county of Philadelphia and In the drawings:-Figure l is a plan viewState of Pennsylvania, have invented an Imof lan electric railway. Fig.2 is a sectional 55 5 provement in Electric Railways, of which theelevation of a car and road bed on line 0c of following isaspecification. Fig. 3; and Fig. 3 is across sectional elevation Myinvention has reference to electric railon line y 'yA of Fig. 2. ways;and consists of certain improvements A andB lare two lines of workingconductfully set forth in the following specification ors, and are madein sections. The conduct- 6o xa and shown in the accompanying drawingsors may be either the rails or auxiliary conwhich form a part thereof.ductors, suspended, exposed on the surface My invention has particularreference to the of the road bed, or placed in a slotted 'conlocation ofthe motor under the car-body, and duit. One end of the conductorA isconnected bringing the commutator to the front platwith one terminal ofthe generator B and 65 form Where it can be observed and kept in theopposite endof the corresponding secworking order.V By this constructionthat tion of conductor B is connected by wire a portion of the motorwhich requires no parwiththe adjacent end of the next section of ticularcare can be located close to the drivev conductor A and so on. In thisconductor wheels to make the most rigid connection with A are locatedmagnets A which operate 7o 2o the axle, and the commutator and itsbrushes switches A2, substantially in the manner set can be kept inperfect condition and guarded out in my application Serial No. 192,187,-so against dirt and dust. The motor is thus that when no motors are incircuit with a formed of the eld magnets and armature losection B theswitch A will operate to close cated at a point where the power is to beapthe break between two succeeding sectionsA 75 plied directly toperform the work, while the and vice versa as clearly set out in myPatent commutator for controlling thecurrents trav- No. 424,607, datedApril l, 1890. The current ersin g the armature or moving coils islocated passes from the primary generator B through at a distance fromit and connected by suitthe conductor A, thence through the motors ablecircuits. The source of electric energy on the cars C to the conductor Band from 8o 3o may be located at a considerable distance this conductorB the current passes through from the motor and the current therefromthe wire d -to the magnet A and from said will be passed through thecommutator and magnet to the next section of the conductor thus properlydelivered to the armature or A, and thence through the armatures A2 ofmoving coils. the succeeding magnets A and succeeding 85 The motorproper is provided with journal sections A to the return conductor B2,and boxes which are journaled to the rear axle so thence to the primarygenerator B againl that the motor may rise and fall at its other Vhenthe cars C are on any section of con. end and at the same time bemechanically ductors the armature A2 of the magnet A beconnected at alltimes to rotate the axle to tween the adjacent sections is caused to be9o 4o which it is journaled. The forward part of attracted so as to openthe circuit between the motor is provided with a frame which is thesuccessive sections of the conductorA as connected to the car-bodybetween the forshown in Fig. l. The distant end of the con ward wheelsand rear wheels, and by which ductor A is connected with the othertermiit is elastically supported upon springs,which nal of the generatorB. The generator B 95 springs also support the car-body. The main may besupplied with theregulatorb or other power wheel is loosely supportedupon the suitable regulating device and is shunt or rear axle andconnected to it by means of a compound wound so as to be self regulatingcoiled or other spring, and the motor is geared and give a varyingcurrent in ampres While to said power wheel so that its shaft may makemaintaining a substantially constant potenroo 5o a portion of arevolution before putting the tial. l, axle into rotation. It isimmaterial to my invention what the particular system of conductors maybe. it is not even necessary to my invention that line conductors shallbe used at all as the car may be operated by means of a battery carriedupon it as referred to hereinafter.

C are electrically propelled vehicles, cars, or locomotives. These carsmaintain electrical connection with the conductors A B by suitublecurrent collectors J. D are the electric motors on said cars, and J isthe motor circuit which may have a resistance changer .I2 under thecontrol of the operator to vary the speed or power of the motor or stopthe car, and a current reversing switch J 3 for reversing the currentpassing to the motor.

E is a shunting device for shunting more orY less ot' the line currentaround the motors on each car. It consists of a shunt circuit c inmultiple arc connection with the motor D and having a variableresistance e, more or less of which is put into or out of circuit by aswitch E2 operated by an electro helix and core E', which helix is inthe shunt circuit and directly controlled by the current therein. Toreduce the amount of current passing through the helix an additionalshunt E3 (see Fig. l) lnight be placed in the shunte around the helix.It is immaterial to my invention how this regulator is made so long asit accomplishes the objects sought to be covered.

It will now be understood that it' a section of conductors be supposedto hold, in multiple arc connection, five cars, one-fifth of all thecurrent will pass through each motor or car. If now, two cars are fromany cause taken oit the section, the remaining three cars will stillonly receive three-fifths of the entire current as their shuntingdevices E respond to shunt two-fifths of the current around the motorson the cars; hence the total resistance to the line is constant and thecurrent passing down the line is in no wise diminished. This regulationis automatic, but it is evident that the result might be accomplished byoperating the shunting devices by hand. This description has been givenwith particular reference to a system employing series and multiple arcconnection of cars combined, but it is also evident that it isapplicable where the entire line is operated on the multiple arc system,(which corresponds to one section of the above described system) as theregulator shunt device would operate to increase or reduce the currentflowing through the motor to compensate for the change in the resistanceof the line according as the motor is near to or very farfrom thegeneration station. It is my object to use comparatively high tensioncurrents and working conductors of small sectional area. In long lineswhere a large number of cars are on circuit this line resistance is animportant factor in automatic regulation.

The car shown in Fig. 2 is well adapted to city railways, and consistsof the long body supported at its forward end upon a four wheeled truckI-I by a pivot 7L. The truck has a small wheel base, and hence can turnsharp curves; and may be made in any well known manner, having suitablesprings. The rear end of the car body is supported on two wheels Fsecured to their axle f which is journaled in boxes in the usual way,and support the car body through springs F4 (see Figs. 2 and 3). By thisconstruction of supporting wheels the car is maintained from jumping orswinging up and down as is now so frequently seen on horse and cablerailways. In those systems it is not so objectionable, but in anelectric railway the Wheel base should under no circumstances besubjected to jar owing to the necessity of using the current collectors.By placing the four wheeled truck forward, a rapid travel can bemaintained without the least tendency of jumping the track at quickcurves.

D is the electric motor and is supported on the frame D journaled orhinged upon the rear axle f, and at its forward end is connected at F tothe car body between the forward truck and axle f. By this means the carbody may rise and fall on its springs without changing the distancebetween the motor and axle f. The motor shaft (Z is supported in thejournal d close to the axle f and is provided with Ithe bevel pin ion F3adjustable to and from the axlef, and adapted to mesh with the wheel F2secured to the axle f, preferably through a coiled spring connection f2(Fig. 3) which is more or less similar to the construction set out in myapplication Serial No. 2172945. This elastic connection allows the motorto start up more easily and overcome the inertia of the car at rest. Ido not limit myself to any particular connection between the motor shaftand car axle as there are a large number of mechanical connections orpower transmitters which might be used'. The motor proper is locatedclose to the rear axle fand increases the traction, while the commutatorG of the motor is brought forward to the front platform G2 and itssections are connected with the armature by a long iexible tubular shaftf.

As shown, the commutator is located immediately below the front platformand may be inspected or adjusted by a door G', and protected below fromdust and dirt by a case or covering g. By this construction I am enabledto locate the weight of the motor where it is best needed, and thecommutator where it can be inspected and adjusted. The body of the motorwould not require protection as the journals may be especially designedto keep out the dirt. The shaft f should be strong enough to resisttorsional action so as to maintain proper connection between thecommutator and its brushes with` reference to the position of thearmature coils in the field, but may be slightly flexible otherwlsc.

It is evident that the motor may be either a shunt or series woundmachine, and the IOO IIO

field magnets may revolve as set out in my` Patent No. 434,391, datedAugust12, 1890, in place of the armature rotating.

The collectors J are carried bythe pivoted truck through the mediationof a collector frame I hung by bolts I from the truck frame H. These.bolts have screws and nuts t" by which the height of the frame I may beadjusted to bring the collectors J inv line with the conductors. Thesebolts I are hinged to the frame I at fr', and this frame is alsoconnected to the truck frame by a link or drag bar I2. Y Thisconstruction will allow all the lateral play required to followinequalities in a slotted cond uit or conductors and in passing aroundcurves. The collector frame has the lower central portion made toproject down through the slot of a conduit and the collectors are madeflat and pass up through the same, being insulated from it. Thesecollectors are arranged in front of eachother to take up as little spacein width as possible, but at their points of contact with the conductorsA and B are in the same transverse lineso as not to produce twisting,binding, or

excessive torsional action of the collector frame; and these collectorsare in the center of the truck wheel base where but a small amount ot'lateral play will be required. By

putting the collectors on the truck they may follow the curves morereadily and irrespective of the position of the car body.

The position of the rear ordrive wheels is in front of the rear platformand in such a position that the maximum traction will be produced with afull load. It is a well known `fact that in a crowded car the rearwheels receive by far the greatest load, and in this case the ei'ect isstill further increased by locating the forward wheels up under the ex-`treme front of the car body so that every passenger in the car puts anincrease of traction on the rear wheels.

M represents a series of cells of a secondary battery. These cells arelocated under the seats of the car asv shown in- Fig. 3 and may beinserted and removed through side doors which may be upon the outside ofthe caras set out in my applicatiomSerial No. 214,309, Patent No.384,911, granted June 19, 1888, or upon the inside as indicated in thisapplication in which L represents the doors hinged at Z and providedwith locks or catches l.

In this case the outside walls of the compart ments under the seats arealso provided with doors L. Either or both of these doors may be used'in changing or inspecting the battery cells which would be often ifcharged in a central station.

The batteries maybe charged from the motor circuit, or may be used tosupply current to the motor when4 desired, or when necessity requires.VThe secondary batteries may .be utilized to supply current to electriclamps q, to light the car, said lampsbeing in multiple arcconnection incircuit QV which may be provided with a current indicator q andresistance changer Q. It may also be used for supplying current to thehead light S which has its own .circuit S, resistance changer s, andcircuit `breaker s. A switch S2may be used to extinguish all of thelights; switch s', the headlight alone; and switch Q2 the interiorlights alone.` f-

fTo indicate when the secondary batteries are fully charged, I provide asignal circuit r including one or more cells of the secondary battery(but only a small portion of the whole), and locate in said circuit akey R2 to break the circuit permanently, a switch r to close the circuittemporarily, and an alarm R. The switch r is operated by anelectromagnet R in the charging circuit P. So long as the chargingcurrent is of a given strength stronger than the secondary or reversecurrent of the battery the magnet R--will hold the magnet is weakenedand the switch drops,

sounding an alarm. The switch R is then opened.

I have described the general features of my improvements but it is to beunderstoodthat I do not limit myself to the details as they may bemodified in various ways without de-A parting from my invention.

In this application I do not claim the following features, as they formsubject matter ot` a divisional application, Serial No. 462,262, tiledFebruary 14, 1893. The said features are: l g The combination of iieldmagnets, a mov- .IOO

ing armature having coils, a commutator for controlling the currentflowing through the coils of the armature arranged at a distance fromthe armature, circuits between the commutator and armature, brushes forthe comtield magnets and brushes of the commutator. An electro magneticmotor 'consisting of `mutator, and electric circuits includingfthe IIOiield magnets, an armature yderiving current from the same source-ofpower, combined with `a commutator for one of the saidl parts flocatedata distance therefrom, and connectf ing circuits between the commutatorand said part of the motor.

An electro magnetic motor consist-ing of i field magnets andarmaturederiving current l from the same source ofpower, combined with acommutator for the armature located ata distance therefrom, and flexibleconnecting circuits between thecommutator and saidfarf mature of themotor.

The combination of a stationary source-'of electric energyyline circuitsleadingl therefrom to a distant place, an .electro magneticmotorconsistmg of armature and -iield mag- .nets receiving current fromsaid stationary source-.of electric energy, and a commutator located ata distance from the armatureand field magnets to govern the movements ofsaid armature. 1

The combination ofY a stationary source of electric energy, linecircuits leading therefrom to a distant place, an electro magnetic motorconsisting of armature and field magnets receiving current from saidstationary source of electric energy, a commutator located at a distancefrom the armature and field magnets to govern the movements of saidarmature, and a switch for cutting the motor out of circuit withoutinterrupting the continuity of the line circuit.

In this application I do not claim the system of supplying current ofconstant potential to two or more cars in parallel and each providedwith a series motor and suitable regulating devices, as said featuresform subject matter of a divisional application, Serial No. 471,245,filed April 21, 1893.

Having now described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire tosecure by Letters Patent, is-

1. The combination in an electrically propelled vehicle, of a body parthaving seats, wheels at the forward end of the body part pivoted theretoon a vertical axis, rear wheels and axle arranged near the rear end ofthe body part, springs supporting the body part upon the axle andwheels, an electric motor arranged between the forward and rear wheelsand hinged upon the rear axle, and a power transmitting connectionbetween the motor and the axle to which it is hinged.

2. The combination in an electrically propelled vehicle, of the body, apivoted truck at or near one end, a pair of wheels near the other endhaving boxes fixed against lateral movement, on the vehicle body anelectric motor arranged under the vehicle body and connecting with thefixed pairs of wheels or their axle by a power transmitting device, anda hinged frame supporting said motor and journaled on the axle of saidpair of wheels.

3. The combination in an electrically propelled vehicle, of the body, apivoted truck at or near one end, a pair of wheels near the other endhaving boxes fixed against lateral movement, an electric motorconnecting with the fixed pair of wheels, or their axle, a hinged framesupporting said motor jou rnaled on the axle of said pair of wheels, anda connection between the other or free end of said frame and vehiclebody.

4. In an electrically propelled vehicle, the combination of the bodyhaving an operators platform, supporting wheels therefor, an electricmotor connecting therewith and supported under the vehicle body andhaving its commutator brought up to within operative position of theoperators platform.

5. In an electrically propelled vehicle, the combination of the bodyhaving an operator-s platform, supporting wheels therefor, an electricmotor connecting therewith and supported under the vehicle body andhaving its commutator brought up to within operative position of theoperators platform, and a dust case or cap to inclose the commutator.

6. In an electrically propelled Vehicle, the combination of the bodyhaving an operators platform, supporting wheels therefor, an electricmotor connecting therewith and supported under the vehicle body andhaving its commutator brought up to within operative position of theoperators platform, and a trap door in the platform to expose or protectthe commutator.

7. In an electrically propelled vehicle, the combination of the bodyhaving an operators platform, supporting wheels therefor, an electricmotor connecting therewith and supported under the vehicle body andhaving its commutator brought up to within operative position of theoperators platform, a trap door in the platform to expose or protect thecommutator, and a dust case to inclose the commutator from below.

8. The combination of the vehicle body, having a front platform,supporting wheels therefor, an electric motor supported by the vehicleand connecting with the said Wheels, the commutator and brushes of saidmotor being located at the front platform, and a long electricalconnection between the motor armature and commutator.

9. The combination of the vehicle body having a front platform,supporting wheels and axles for said body, and an electric motorconnecting with the rear axle or its Wheels and having a long obliquelyarranged commutator shaft extending to the front platform and carryingthe commutator.

10. The combination of the vehicle body having a front platform,supporting wheels and axles for said body, and an electric motorconnecting with the rear axle or its wheels having a long obliquelyarranged flexible commutator shaft extending to the front platform andcarrying the commutator.

11. The combination of the Vehicle body, supporting wheels located closeto the front end and supporting Wheels located at some distance from therear end, and a motor mechanically connecting with the rear wheels ortheir axle and journaled upon the rear axle.

12. The combination of the vehicle body, supporting wheels located closeto the front end and supporting wheels located at some distance from therear end, and an electric motor connecting with the rear wheels or theiraxles located close to them to increase the traction, and having itscommutator brought to the forward part of the vehicle.

13. The combination of a vehicle body, supporting wheels therefor, anelectric motor to propel the vehicle and connecting with the wheels ortheir axle, and a dust cap or casing inclosing the commutator andbrushes alone and carried with the vehicle.

14. In an electrically propelled vehicle, the supporting wheels andtheir axles in combination with an electric motor, a gear wheelsupportedupon the axle and connected there- IOO IIC

with by a coiled spring, surrounding the axle and a spur wheelconnecting the motor with the gear wheel. v

l5. In an electrically propelled vehicle the supporting-wheels andtheiraxles, in combination with an electric motor, a power wheelsupported upon the axle and connected therewith by a coiled spring,surrounding the'axle and a mechanical power transmitting connectionbetween the motor and power wheel. 16. The combination of anelectrically propelled car having au unobstructed motor platform at itsforward end having doors therein, axles and wheels located under the carbody of the said car, and an electric motor journaled upon one axle andmechanically connected to rotote it and having its commutator arrangedbelow the platform whereby access may be had thereto by opening thedoors.

k17. The combination in an electrically propelled car, of a car bodyhaving a motor operating platform at its forward end and a passengerplatform at its rear end, a pivoted truck under the front or motoroperating platform, wheels and axles supporting the rear i end of thecar body, and an electric motor journaled upon the rear axles andadaptedto rotate it and having its commutator arranged .under the frontor motor operating plat-V form. n

1S. In anelectrically propelledvehicle, the combination of the front andrear axles and their wheels,an electric motor journaled upon the rearaxle and mechanically connected to rotate it, and an elastic support forthe free end of the motor upon the forward wheels and axles.

19. In an electrically propelled vehicle, the combination 'of thesupporting wheels and axles, an electric motor journaled upon andmechanically connected to rotate .one of the axles, and an elasticsupport between the `free end of the motorfand the other axle or axles.

20. In an 'electrically propelled vehicle, the combinationV of a pivotedtruck and a rear axle and wheels for supporting the car body, :and anelectric motor journaled upon the rear axle and mechanically connectedto rotate k1t vand having its free end elastically supported 4*upon theaxles of the pivoted truck.

In testimony of 'which inventionI hereunto 'set my hand.

RUDOLPH M. HUNTER. Witnesses:

E. BREGKINREED, RICHD. S. CHILD, Jr.

